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Suzanne Hermanoczki

When giving a talk or presentation you may want to consider using some kind of visual reinforcement such as OHTs (overhead transparencies), video presentations, LCD projector, Power Point and handouts to help you consolidate everything you are attempting to deliver.

What is a visual aid?

A visual aid is essentially that, a tool that will support your speech or talk and help you with getting your message across. And like most things, some thought, preparation and practice should also be done beforehand to help you use this properly and effectively.

How do I use visual aids?

After you have done your preparation, you should take some time to see where visuals can be inserted into your presentation to use them for maximum effect.

All visuals should serve a purpose, emphasise certain points or key sections of your presentation - if it serves no purpose or does not add to your talk, remove it.

What is a handout and how can I use it effectively?

A handout is a document given out to your audience, containing key information about the subject or topic of your presentation. Handouts must include important and useful information about the subject matter presented; for the audience handouts should also help them recall or 'see' information as they listen.

Some people may argue that distributing handouts is distracting as your audience may simply focus on reading the notes (instead of listening to you). However, providing your audience with a handout beforehand gives them time to go through it first and take notes. Distributing a handout first, allows more time for your audience to prepare for follow-up questions later.

Whatever you choose a good clear, simple handout is key - clear straightforward points or diagrams may be useful tools for the audience (and yourself the speaker) when revising and summing up the information presented.

How to use Power Point successfully?

When you give your presentation, you may want to prepare and present it on Power Point. Presentations on Power Point should be no different to normal presentations in that you as the speaker are using a different slide as a prompt to remind you of key points or particular details.

The best way to use Power Point is to treat each slide as a summary of your notes which you will refer to and elaborate while giving your presentation. Remember, just as with your talk - do not just do straight reading or read your Power Point presentation word for word - you don't want to send your audience to sleep!

Exercise

See if you can complete the list of final handy hints for using visual aids with words from the box.

practise

visual aids

spelling

your audience

large

key words

1. Keep your _______ _________ simple and interesting.

2. Don't fill up the entire page or screen with complicated visuals. Remember, _______ _________ must be able to read it; you want to assist them rather than confuse them.

3. Do not simply photocopy items from a textbook - it's best to put the materials into your own words.

4. Use _______ _________ or points. For OHTs or Power Point, you may want to use the 'revelation technique' where you reveal key points one by one - this will keep your audience focused on the point you are emphasising, rather than reading on ahead.

5. Use ______ wording or fonts - your audience must be able to see it from the back of the room.

6. Use colour, pictures, diagrams (and music, sound effects if you can and if appropriate).

7. Check your ______, grammar, sources and reference materials.

8. Finally, ______ your talk. Imagine facing an audience using your visual aids. Know what comes next - there's nothing worse than fumbling through Power Point slides or OHTS, or a presenter talking to the visual aid rather than to the audience.

ANSWERS: 1. visual aids 2. your audience 4. key words 5. large 7. spelling 8. practise



Use visual aids, handouts and Power Point effectively